Date of Degree

5-2004

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Arts (MA)

Program

Communication Arts

Advisor

Valerie Greenberg

Advisor

Michael Mercer

Abstract

The U.S. 2000 Census reveals San Antonio's 671,394 Hispanic or Latino population is 58.7 percent of the city's 1.14 million people. This statistic contrasts nationwide to 12.5 percent or 35.3 million Hispanic or Latino people. San Antonio, ninth-largest U.S. city in total population, compares to two other Texas cities, Houston ranking fourth-largest and Dallas eighth-largest. San Antonio, fifth-largest city in Hispanic population on the U.S. Census chart of "Ten Largest Places in Total Population and in Hispanic Population," outnumbers Dallas, listed eighth-largest in Hispanic population. Only Houston, remaining the fourth-largest Texas city, outranks San Antonio in Hispanic population. San Antonio Hispanics, who watch the mainstream local newscasts, will notice the ratio of Hispanic news anchors and reporters appears disproportionate to the area demographics, giving the above facts extreme importance. When a city, ranked ninth in the nation and nearly 60 percent Hispanic, lacks comparable representation on its local news, the situation cries for a response because of the seemingly inequitable situation. The question of whether or not the ratio of Hispanic news anchors and reporters represents the Hispanic population becomes an interesting one to explore because of the multifaceted social and cultural issues presented in this circumstance. This study explores some of the impacts that result from these social and cultural issues.

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